District News
![BES Battles It Out!]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1754319147/shsdorg/mjeogxswjetlai4leaqw/25-BESBattl.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1754319147/shsdorg/mjeogxswjetlai4leaqw/25-BESBattl.png","width":480}])
BES Battles It Out!
For over 20 years, Bedwell Elementary School has hosted Battle of the Books, a competition that challenges 4th grade students to test their reading comprehension, teamwork, and memory skills. This year’s event, which took place on March 14, 2025, was another unforgettable chapter in that tradition.
This year, the BES Battle of the Books saw 16 teams of excited 4th graders compete against one another after reading a selection of 12 books over the course of two months. All of the teams were named after colleges and universities. The event's format was simple but intense: students were asked to answer questions in the format, "In which book..." and their answer would be the title of one of the 12 books they had read. The ultimate goal was to correctly answer as many questions as possible and advance through the rounds.
The first round was a high-energy competition where all teams had the chance to answer 25 questions. Then the top six teams moved on to the finals, in front of a packed audience of parents and fellow students. This year’s event took on the spirit of March Madness, with the competition’s theme modeled after the NCAA basketball tournament. After 52 questions, Notre Dame and the University of North Carolina were tied. What followed was a heart-pounding overtime period. The teams were asked five more difficult questions. In an unprecedented twist, the final question required both teams to submit a detailed, written response to break the tie. After much anticipation, Notre Dame was declared the winner, earning the title of 2025 Battle of the Books Champion in a hard-fought battle!
For many, the Battle of the Books is a defining moment in the elementary school experience…one that celebrates not only reading but also teamwork and perseverance. With more than two decades of tradition behind it, the event continues to inspire students to engage with books and fosters a love of reading that will stay with them for years to come. We are sure the “battle” of 2026 will be one for the books... pun intended!